Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I have a of hobby collecting headphones, and I've recently began reviewing the ones in my collection. I constructed a simple six-song test and rating system, where a score of 0 - 2 is abysmal, 2.1 - 4 is poor, 4.1 - 6 is mediocre, 6.1 - 8 is above average, and 8.1 - 10 is excellent.
I selected songs from a variety of genres. The songs were "The Chain" by Fleetwood Mac, "Every Planet We Reach is Dead" by Gorillaz, "Concerto Grosso no. 26 in D Major" by Handel, "I Know You Are, But What Am I?" by Mogwai, "Afro Blue" by Triplexity, and "The Patient" by Tool. All songs were encoded in Ogg Vorbis at 192 kbps or higher, and I listened to them on an iAudio 7 with all sound effects turned off and the equalizer set to flat.
Sound Quality(9.2/10)
The Chain(9/10) - bass, mid tones, and treble are all flat and evenly reproduced. The bass is crisp and punchy, but not exaggerated. The sound stage is good, although not incredible. Instrument separation is clear and vivid.
Every Planet(10/10) - lows in this song are deep and responsive, but smooth and even at the same time. Mids and highs are also impressively vivid. The sound stage is moderately large, and instrument separation is fantastic.
Concerto(10/10) - the sound in this song is very flat and smooth over all frequencies(which I like, especially for classical). Instrument separation is crisp and clear. The sound stage is not huge, but pleasantly broad.
I Know You Are(9/10) - lows are nice and deep. Mids are rich and vivid. Highs are crisp and clear. The instrument separation is also very clear. Sound stage is definitely good, but not as amazing as other headphones in this price range.
Afro Blue(9/10) - the bass in this song is impressively low and punchy, but again, not exaggerated. Mids and highs are clean and even. Instrument separation is fantastic. The sound stage on this song wasn't as broad as I would like, but not bad.
The Patient(8/10) - music was evenly reproduced over all frequencies. Bass and mid tones were vivid, and highs were clean and clear. Instrument separation is also good. The sound stage, as before, is decent but not overly great. While this song sounded very good over the Audio Technicas, it was somewhat lacking in aggressiveness and intensity.
Overall Sound(9.2/10) - the Audio Technica ATH-D40fs sounded very smooth and balanced overall with clean, deep bass, vivid mid tones, and clear highs. Instrument separation was fantastic. The only complaint I have regarding sound quality was the sound stage, which was somewhat lackluster at times.Design(3/10) - these headphones were comfortable to wear, if a bit heavy. I could listen to them for hours on end with little fatigue. While not particularly stylish, they exuded a sense a professionalism that is missing in most headphones. I give them such a low rating in design because they broke shortly after I bought them. I take good care of my headphones, but not long after I began listening to them, the left speaker would stop playing music intermittently, which leads me to believe there was a short somewhere in the internal assembly(I never actually found one in the headphone cable).Noise Isolation(7/10) - while not the best noise isolation I've ever experienced from a pair of headphone(that award would go to one of the various IEMs I've listened to), these were quite good. I estimate they blocked around 10 - 12 DB of ambient noise along the entire range of audible frequencies.Bottom Line(6/10) - I would like to give these headphones an 8 or 9. The sound quality was fantastic for sealed headphones at this price range, and almost everything else about them was good. Sadly, as I previously mentioned, the left speaker began behaving erratically shorty after I purchased them, and they had to be returned.
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Audio-Technica ATH-D40fs Precision Enhanced Bass HeadphonesWith their bass-enhanced frequency response, these premium professional studiophones are ideal for use with drums, bass and other low-frequency sound sources. Superior components provide very high SPL capabilities while maintaining exceptional clarity of sound. Exterior design features include sturdy strain-relief cable and comfortable circumaural earpieces that can be rotated 180 degrees to permit one-ear monitoring. The studiophones utilize 40-millimeter drives with neodymium magnets and copper-clad aluminum wire voice coils for lowest mass. The ATH-D40fs is equipped with an 11-foot cable terminated in a standard 1/4-inch connector. This field-serviceable model allows elements, cables, and earpads to be replaced in the field if needed.
ATH-D40fs Features
Enhanced bass response for low-frequency sound sources
Field-replaceable cables, drivers and ear pads
1,600 mW of power handling, high SPL capability
40 mm diameter drivers, neodymium magnets and CCAW voice coils
OFC litz wire cables, convenient one-side exit
Rotating earpieces for easy one-ear monitoring
ATH-D40fs Specs
Type:Closed-back dynamic
Driver Diameter:40 mm
Magnet:Neodymium
Voice Coil:Copper-clad aluminum wire
Frequency Response:20 - 28,000 Hz
Maximum Input Power:1,600 mW at 1 kHz
Sensitivity:102 dB
Impedance:66 ohms
Weight:8.8 oz (250 g) without cable
Cable:11-foot (3.4 m); OFC litz wire, left-side exit
Connector:1/4-inch (6.3 mm) phone plug
What's in the Box ATH-D40fs Headphones
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